Film 'The Years of Blur' Screened at Udin Festival 2026, Highlighting Journalist's Murder Case

The film 'The Years of Blur' was screened at the Udin Festival 2026, held at the Indonesian Institute of the Arts (ISI) in Yogyakarta. The event served as a space to commemorate the struggle of journalist Udin and discuss the ongoing investigation into his murder, which remains an iconic case in Indonesian journalistic history.

Vivi Maulida, the head of the Udin Festival 2023 organizing committee, stated that the festival is a platform for Indonesian civil society elements, particularly in Yogyakarta, to reconnect. She added that the festival aims to foster a stronger connection with Udin's story and the pursuit of justice for him.

Udin, a journalist for the Bernas newspaper, was murdered in 1996 due to his critical reporting and journalistic work, which was perceived as a threat to the authorities. His case has since become a landmark murder case of a journalist in Indonesia. Heru Prasetya, the head of the Kijang Putih team that investigated Udin's assault, described Udin as physically imposing but possessing a gentle nature.

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Udin was a tall, sturdy person, and didn't have a gentle face. But Udin was gentle because I met him every day.

Prasetya also recounted the challenges faced by journalists during the New Order era, characterized by strict press censorship and pressure that limited their ability to conduct free journalistic work. Investigative journalism practices were not yet well-developed, with reporters relying more on in-depth reporting than direct investigations. The tight control over news reporting by the New Order regime significantly restricted journalists' scope in uncovering various issues.

The screening of 'The Years of Blur' and the accompanying discussion are part of efforts to maintain public memory of Udin's case and the ongoing struggle for press freedom and justice for journalists. The event highlights the historical context of Udin's murder and its significance in the broader narrative of Indonesian journalism.

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The screening of 'The Years of Blur' and the discussion are part of efforts to maintain public memory of Udin's case and the struggle for press freedom and justice for journalists.